Top 10 Things to Consider When Buying a Kayak for Fishing

By Thomas P Fouts

There are many different kinds of kayaks on the market today. So many, that it can be a daunting task to find the "perfect" model for your specific needs. So here are 10 areas of thought when considering buying a kayak for fishing.

1. Your physical being, your physical condition, and your attitude - First of all, you need to be able to fit comfortably in the kayak seating both in width and legroom. Then consider your weight. Because how you are built, and what physical shape you are in, can determine whether you buy a kayak with a motor, pedals, or just a paddle for propelling your kayak. How do you want to get from one fishing spot and back again?


2. Sit-On-Top, (SOT) or Sit-In-Kayak, (SIK)? - This is a personal choice. The traditional kayak is a "sit in" kayak. This is where you sit inside the kayak. A sit on top kayak is where you sit on what is like a formed tube that lets water drain through holes called scuppers. The SOT is what, in my opinion, works best for kayak fishing. Look at both, and talk to experts, do the research; find out what is comfortable for you.


3. Stability - There are two kinds of stability. One is the initial stability, which is how "wobbly" it is on the water. The second factor of stability (and this is the important one) is how far a kayak can lean or tip before it sends you overboard. It is all in the design of the hull.


4. Maneuverability - You need a kayak that responds and handles well. The rocker (or camber) which is the "curve" from the front to the back of the hull will determine how easily it handles, along with the length and width of the boat. The shorter the kayak and the more rocker, the quicker it responds, but may also sacrifice stability. The longer and "less" rocker of the hull, the more speed and sea-worthiness of the boat.


5. Weight - If the kayak is too heavy to lug around, and getting it off and on your vehicle, you probably won't use it as much. Plus, if you have to portage around obstacles it can be a real energy drain.


6. Maximum Weight Capacity - You also want to take into consideration your weight and the weight of your gear. The maker of the kayak will have maximum weight capacities listed. Stay well below them or you can become a barge.


7. Speed of Kayak - This is a personal choice. A stable, shorter, wide kayak will be slower and a longer and narrower kayak will be faster. A wider kayak can take a lot more energy and time to get to a fishing spot, and when paddling against a strong wind can be difficult. Where a longer narrow kayak slices through the water and wind easier, it can be a real trick to fish comfortably from. So a balance between the two styles seems to be an all-around safe choice.


8. Length - As mentioned above, the longer the kayak, the faster and more sea worthy it is. So you need to decide what types of water conditions you will be paddling in. Short kayaks (under 11') are great for protected waters, or rivers, and longer kayaks, (13'-more than 14') are probably better in lakes bays and oceans.


9. Seating/Comfort - This is a biggie. If you are not comfortable you won't stay out long. You will most likely be sitting for long lengths of time, so choose your seat wisely. Spend the extra bucks to get this right, as it can be the difference in a great time or not. Also consider how it supports your legs and whether or not it has drainage holes.


10. Accessories - Not all kayaks are built to accessorize conveniently. Think about what you want to outfit your boat with and see if modifications can be made. One thing is storage for your fishing gear. Can you outfit storage areas that can be easily accessible from the seat? Do you need to haul a cart? Storage is a question you should try to answer when picking your kayak.

All kayaks need to be stored somewhere when you are not using them. So consider how big your storage area is as well as the length of your boat. You will also need a way to secure your kayak to the vehicle for transporting it to the water. Racks, trailer, or just throwing it in the back of a pickup, it still needs to be secured for safe travel.

So there you have my 10 things to consider when buying a kayak for fishing. Not everything is covered here, but it will give you a place to start. Talk to the experts. See what others are using with success and what the fishermen say could be improved.

Use good judgment on the water, be safe, and have a great time kayak fishing!

My two favorite sports combined! What could be better? I have been kayaking since 1978 when I bought a 13 year old Klepper kayak. I kayaked 43 different rivers, in 5 different states, and in Canada that first year!

Then when you combine fishing with kayaking, it is so peaceful and invigorating at the same time. I have had several different kayaks and have introduced dozens of people to the sport since that first year.

Thomas Fouts

Author of "The BetesBuster Plan"

A Step-by Step Guide to Preventing, Controlling, or Reversing Type 2 Diabetes

http://betesbuster.com

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KAYAK FISHING – LEARNING THE ESSENTIALS
5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR BEFORE BUYING A FISHING KAYAK

Kayaking Footwear

Kayaking footwear comes in several different designs, to keep your feet safe and, in some cases, warm.

Kayaking will obviously not require the same type of footwear that you would wear to the store or on the street. However, since you will not always be in the kayak (eventually you're going to have to come back to land and get out of it), you'll probably want to have some sort of shoes just in case you have to come back to a rougher part of the beach. You don't want to hurt your feet just because you have been in a kayak.

Something to keep in mind about regular shoes, of course, is that they tend to be fairly heavy. Therefore, if you end up using a regular pair of shoes, you will probably be adding unnecessary weight to your feet. Part of the reason that you're adding extra weight is that regular shoes do not repel water in the same way that water footwear would. The other down side do this is that your regular shoes will also not dry out very quickly at all. In fact, you'll probably be stuck with wet shoes for a long time after you finally get done kayaking.

The best type of footwear for kayaking is more like a slipper. These shoes might not be waterproof, but if you are in water that is too cold for your feet, you should probably look into getting a dry suit that covers your feet as well.

The nice thing about these slipper shoes is that as soon as you step out of the water, most of it will drain away. The result is that you are left with damp but not too soggy shoes which will probably dry out fairly quickly. The other thing that you get with this footwear instead of going barefoot is that you'll know that your feet are being protected each time you step on the bottom - and considering that you can never be quite sure what is just under the sand, this is probably a good thing.

However, if the slipper footwear is not right for you, several other companies offer sandals that might suit your needs as well. While sandals will not close over your feet in the same way, they will still be able to protect your feet from anything that happens to be under the sand.

You can also purchase socks for kayaking which will keep your feet warm.

Article Tags:
Kayaking Footwear, Regular Shoes

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.kayakhelp.com. Please visit his complete kayaking guide for all skills and ages.

CHOOSING THE PROPER KAYAKING ACCESSORIES

FOUR THINGS A KAYAKER SHOULD HAVE ON BOARD

Types of Kayaks

By Peter Gitundu

You'll agree with me every sport requires a gear designed for it. This is no exception with kayaking. However, there are many different types of kayaks available in the market today and makes it hard for you to choose the right one. Just take a moment and read on for some helpful tips on basic things you ought to know about kayaks.

Their origin is traced to be Eskimos from green land and Alaska. They are basically small boats with a similar structure as a canoe. Their main difference with canoes is that paddlers legs are hidden inside, they've pointed bows and sterns and they're fully covered except for the cock pit.

In the past, they could only accommodate one paddler but today's there are different types that accommodates one to four paddlers at a go. Kayaks are classified into three categories depending on their structure i.e. rigid, folding and inflatable. Rigid are made of fiberglass, plastic, wood or Kevlar. Plastic ones are tough and long lasting while fiberglass are light weight.

If you want a portable one and easy to store, folding ones caters for this though you have to dig deeper in your pocket. However, the price is worth it. They are made of aluminum or wood. Inflatable on the other hand are easy to carry, they are made up of PVC so all you need to do is put pressure with help of a pump and you are good to go kayaking. They are mostly suitable for calm waters and rivers. One thing to note is that paddling one require more effort and are a bit slower. But worry not, the thrill and experience is amazing.

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KAYAK BUYING CHOICES

THE ADVENTURE OF KAYAKING

Kayak Buying Choices

By F Gual

Before looking for a new kayak, you must consider how you intend to use it. And before that, you have to shop for all the essential equipment you must have.

Choosing the right kayak can be a difficult ordeal. Several factors must be considered before starting a search. Some simple steps will make the search easier.

First, decide what it will be used for. Is this all new to you? Do you plan to enter competitions? This will guide you when exploring all the different designs on the market. An online search will reveal hundreds of choices, and narrowing your choices will take time. Hurrying through this step could bring buyer's remorse.

But before that happens, you must get all the equipment you will need for safe and enjoyable kayaking. Wetsuit, life jacket, paddle, footwear, and more will be essential, so go for quality here.

Thinking of your kayak as an investment is the way to go. A quality kayak need not be expensive, but lots of research is needed to get the most for your money.

Famous top brands include Clear Blue Hawaii, Old Town, Coleman, Pelican International. The popular Hobie has a line of simple, durable boats. Sevylor has been making tough inflatable kayaks for years. Emotion makes plastic kayaks as small as eight feet, ideal if space is a problem. Folding kayaks have been made in Germany by the Klepper company since the fifties. Their wooden frame covered by a waterproof synthetic skin can be assembled quickly once you know how.

If you have never been on a kayak, it would be wise to rent one, even if only for a day. Learning how to get in and out of the kayak safely may take several attempts to get it right. Plus learning how to hold your paddle through the strokes also takes some trying.

Many people of all ages have become addicted to gliding through the water. Why not you?

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5 THINGS PEOPLE DO WRONG WHEN BUYING A KAYAK

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